Ok, this didn't open the can of worms that I was afraid it was going to.
DK, I am glad that you get tested regularly. I am even gladder that you are still negitive.
The fact that I sound like a 'Cathlic pamphlet' is beyond bothersom. I am not cathlic.
I am concerned about this subject. And I DO NOT have all the answers ... for that matter, I have more questions than answers.
I have read many stories online, here, nifty, and other places. A lot of them carry the theme, if you sex, then make sure you are safe, implying the use of a condom will keep you safe.
One author here had one of his charactors go to South Americia. He was sent condoms so he could have 'safe' sex.
I agree that it starts with education. However I believe that the way we go about it is wrong. It is hard for teen males to open up when the teacher is female ... esp when she is old enough to be your grandmother (as happened to me in 9th grade), not to mention trying to talk/ask questions in front of girls. And would imagine, the same would be true for girls to ask questions if the teacher was male ... and in front of the boys.
So would it help to segregate the class ... and have male teachers teach the males and females teach the females? Would that create a more open discussions.
And I believe what you said about misconceptions that young people have. They don't have enough information.
I do believe in abstanence. I also believe that you should/need to use a condom if you do have sex. It does provide protection. I wish authors could/would be able to express this ... not be at one end - safe sex - or the other end - abstance, but could find a way to express the fact that while condoms help protect, they aren't one hundred percent.
The holes I talked about in the condoms were/are microscopic in size. My sister doesn't live in that state anymore, and has a different job now.
In the state I live in they are talking about teaching sex education to kindergarteners. And handing out condoms to 2-3 graders.
And the last I heard, here, where I live, have sex w/ a condom is called 'SAFE SEX' and will protect you.
So, I don't know what to do ... I do know that this subject was started, so I have put in my two cents worth in ... twice, and if nothing else, I hope it will get people thinking. I do think that disscussions like this are important for it causes us to think, and am glad that I wasn't raped for expressing myself.
Boy on a String